Like the United States Fight to contain his worst measles epidemic for years, cases have spread to Mexico. In a April 25 reportThe Ministry of Mexico of Health indicated that there had been 583 confirmed cases in the country this year, with 560 registered in the border state of Chihuahua. On April 27, the Chihuahua Health Secretariat pushed the even higher confirmed number of cases of the State Only 7 confirmed cases Throughout Mexico in 2024.
The epidemic in Chihuahua is partly due to its proximity to Texas, which it borders north. A major epidemic has been in progress in the American state since the end of Januaryand the cases in Mexico were linked to those north of the border. The United States has recorded 884 The confirmed cases of measles this year, against 285 in 2024, as well as three deaths due to the disease. Among this year's business in the United States, 646 were in Texas.
To try to prevent the measles virus from spreading more throughout Mexico, his Ministry of Health has published a travel warning For the United States and Canada, where cases have also increased sharply. The ministry advises travelers to ensure that they are up to date with their vaccinations, practice social distancing, wear a mask and wash frequently.
The drop in vaccination levels has also contributed to increasing the cases of Mexico, As they did in the United States. In 98% of American cases this year, the patient – whether an adult or a child – had no history of measles vaccination. In early April, it was reported that a 31 -year -old man who was not vaccinated against measles had died of the disease in Chihuahua.
Because measles is very contagious, very high vaccination rates against him – 95% – are necessary for all communities to prevent the virus from spreading. But vaccination rates in Mexico hesitated. Children are supposed to receive two doses of the measles vaccine, the first generally between 12 and 15 months and the second in the coming years. According to the WHO, in 2023 Only 76% Children under 2 years of age in Mexico had received a measles vaccine.
If the rates do not improve, this could allow the disease to become endemic in North America. According to a analysis By epidemiologists of the University of Stanford, at current vaccination rates at the state level in the United States, measles could recover and be regularly present in the country over the next two decades. This would lead to the death of 2,500 people over the next 25 years.
In response to the urgent need to reverse the coverage of the vaccination of Mexico, the Ministry of Health launched a national vaccination week, the first national vaccination campaign in the country since the COVVI-19 pandemic. From April 26 to May 3, the plan is to strengthen vaccination levels in the group most vulnerable to measles: children from 1 to 9 years old. The ministry hopes to inoculate 1.8 million children to update them with their shots, offering free vaccines in hospitals, clinics, schools and health centers.
Measles is not the only targeted disease in Mexico: children over 4 years old are also offered the DPT vaccine (diphtheria, darling and tetanus), and a pneumococcal booster is offered at the age of 12 months. Adolescents, adults over 60 and pregnant women are also invited to obtain specific vaccines they may also need.
Measles is a viral diseaseAnd he is considered one of the most contagious in the world. It is mainly spread in children. It is transmitted by contact with infected nasal or pharyngeal secretions and in the air, and it initially affects the airways. Symptoms include high fever, cough, abundant nasal discharges and a rash that spreads throughout the body. Complications may include blindness, encephalitis (brain inflammation), diarrhea, dehydration, ear infections and pneumonia. In serious cases, it can be fatal.
This story originally appeared on Cable in Spanish and was translated from Spanish.
